Stan’s West Sussex Report:

Imagine driving down a road that feels more like an off-road adventure course, dodging potholes that could swallow your entire car. Sadly, for many residents of West Sussex, UK, this isn't an exaggeration. But fear not Stan the App is empowering citizens to become highway inspectors and hold authorities accountable for road repairs.

Our Stan users have already been busy in West Sussex, collecting a whopping 1640km, accounting for 30% of the road network. Stan The App have conducted dedicated drives in some of the counties busiest towns, with particular focus on Worthing, Haywards Heath, Burgess Hill, Brighton and Horsham. Stan The App has formulated a bespoke road score system based on a number of factors including if a road section has a major pothole, the traffic flow and safety analysis (if the defect is on a cycle path). After thorough analysis, Stan the App has reported the following about our county’s roads:

Worthing is the Pothole Capital of West Sussex

Stan The App literally painted the town of Worthing red - meaning most roads were in a substandard quality. Visitors often mistake the driving experience in Worthing for an impromptu off-road adventure, with locals priding themselves on their ability to navigate the lunar landscape of their roads without spilling a drop of their tea. If you are driving through Seafield and Patricia Avenue on your way to the pier, make sure you bring a bucket and spade- not for sandcastles but for temporary pothole maintenance. Haywards Heath and Burgess Hill were second and third respectively on the list and Horsham had the best road score out of the four surveyed towns.

Buckingham Road, Shoreham- One of the busiest roads in Shoreham is in the poorest condition in West Sussex.

An array of issues on the A24

Stan Offers Free Help to West Sussex Highways, But They Decline.

West Sussex Highways declined Stan's offer of free access to their data and platform, citing resource constraints and a focus on... grass cutting? This raises questions about their commitment to road safety and utilising innovative solutions.

This innovative app goes beyond reporting; it empowers citizens, raises awareness, and pushes for improved road infrastructure. While West Sussex Highways' decision to decline Stan's offer is disappointing, it highlights the need for a shift towards open data and collaboration. Stan serves as a model for citizen-driven solutions and a reminder that the power to pave the way for smoother rides lies not just with authorities, but also with engaged citizens.

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